As the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and major teachers’ unions in Kenya prepare to enter into critical negotiations for the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the stakes have never been higher for the teaching fraternity.
This upcoming round of talks is poised to be a defining moment in the fight for better terms and conditions of service for over 400,000 teachers across the country. The CBA, a legally binding document, outlines teachers’ rights, responsibilities, and benefits—negotiated between TSC and unions including the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), and the Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (KUSNET).
The current 2021–2025 CBA, which is winding down, offered limited financial benefits due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with the economy gradually stabilizing, educators are now calling for a bold, transformative agreement that prioritizes salary increments, equitable promotions, improved allowances, and better working conditions.
KNUT Secretary-General Collins Oyuu has reiterated the union’s firm demand for substantial salary adjustments. “Teachers have weathered tough economic times without corresponding increases in pay. This must change in the next CBA,” he asserted during a recent gathering with union members.
At KUPPET, the leadership has laid out a forward-thinking and inclusive proposal. As a KUPPET aspirant committed to championing the welfare of our members, I stand fully behind the union’s push for a holistic agreement—one that addresses the day-to-day realities faced by teachers, particularly those working in remote and hardship zones.
Our agenda is clear: increased hardship and commuter allowances, improved housing and healthcare, fairer promotional opportunities, and greater investment in continuous professional development. These are not just demands—they are necessities for a motivated and productive teaching workforce.
KUSNET is also preparing its proposals, with an emphasis on inclusivity and tailored support for teachers of learners with special needs—a sector that deserves far more attention and investment.
As we head into this pivotal negotiation phase, it is essential that all educators stand united. The outcome of this CBA will shape the profession for years to come, and I am dedicated to being a strong, vocal advocate for the interests of our members under KUPPET.
